long-tailed lawsuit against jail for inmate death during opioid withdrawal
federal lawsuit filed against Oregon jail for inmate death from opioid withdrawal.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : An Oregon father has taken legal action by filing a federal lawsuit claiming wrongful death and negligence in the tragic case of his daughter, who took her own life while experiencing opioid withdrawal in the county jail. The lawsuit alleges that the county failed in providing adequate treatment for the physical and mental health needs of the daughter, Kendra Sawyer.
Kendra, a 22-year-old, spoke with her father from the Deschutes County jail expressing her love for him. However, six hours later, in the midst of severe opioid withdrawal symptoms, she tragically ended her own life. Her father, Kent, is left devastated and questioning whether Kendra would still be alive if the jail had provided her with medication to alleviate the distress of withdrawal, as claimed in the recently filed lawsuit.
The lawsuit comes at a time when jails in other states have reported success with programs offering opioid addiction medication to inmates. However, the case highlights the importance of adequate healthcare and support for individuals struggling with substance use disorders, especially in a correctional setting.
Oregon, like many other states, is grappling with a fentanyl crisis that has led to a significant increase in overdose deaths. Efforts are underway during the legislative session to address this crisis by potentially rolling back Measure 110, the state’s drug decriminalization law. State lawmakers from both parties are advocating for more funding for medications used to treat opioid addiction in jails, recognizing the critical need for comprehensive healthcare interventions.
The proposed legislative measures would enable jails to access grants from a $10 million fund to establish or expand medication treatment programs. This initiative has garnered bipartisan support, with public health advocates and law enforcement officials endorsing the move to improve healthcare services for individuals struggling with opioid addiction in correctional facilities.
In Lincoln County, for instance, the jail currently allocates substantial resources towards addiction medication, underscoring the importance of providing comprehensive healthcare services to incarcerated individuals. Jail-based treatment programs have been shown to save lives by supporting individuals in their recovery journey while in custody.
Data indicates that a significant percentage of individuals in American jails have substance use disorders, with overdose being a leading cause of death for individuals upon release. Despite the evident need for comprehensive healthcare interventions, a considerable number of jails do not provide opioid addiction medication to inmates, highlighting the need for policy reforms and increased funding for healthcare services in correctional facilities.
Recent court rulings have emphasized the importance of providing addiction treatment medication to inmates with prior prescriptions, underscoring the legal obligation to ensure access to healthcare services for individuals in custody. States like Washington have taken proactive measures to allocate additional funding for medication-assisted treatment programs in jails, demonstrating a commitment to addressing the healthcare needs of incarcerated individuals.
In light of these developments, the case of Kendra Sawyer serves as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of access to healthcare services for individuals struggling with substance use disorders, particularly in correctional settings. While the lawsuit may not bring Kendra back, her father hopes that her story will catalyze positive change and raise awareness about the pressing need for comprehensive healthcare interventions in jails.
Ultimately, the tragic case of Kendra Sawyer underscores the urgent need for policy reforms and increased funding to support individuals battling substance use disorders in correctional facilities. By prioritizing access to medication-assisted treatment programs and comprehensive healthcare services, states can play a pivotal role in promoting recovery and reducing overdose deaths among incarcerated individuals..
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